Rhetorical Analysis Essay Guidelines

This assignment asks you to consider how and why a specific written text works (or does not work) rhetorically. You will be using the homework readings from the textbook, along with the class resources and discussions about rhetoric and the rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, and logos) as you write your paper. Your analysis should focus on the specific argumentative strategies or elements that the author uses. Your paper should focus on analyzing the text and evaluating its use of rhetoric, not on summarizing the text or presenting your own personal response to the text’s topic or rhetorical strategy.

Instructions

1. Choose one of the following essays from our textbook to analyze:
   • Ella Houston, “Featuring Disabled Women in Advertisements: The Commodification of Diversity?” (pg. 561)
   • Jennifer Liu, “What Happens When Toxic Office Behavior Moves Online While Working from Home” (pg. 597)
   • danah boyd, “Hacking the Attention Economy” (pg. 617)
   • Katy Steinmetz, “Why ‘They’ Is Here to Stay” (pg. 634)
   • John McWhorter, “Thick of Tongue” (pg. 650)
2. Research important contextual information such as who the writer is, when and in what publication the text was first published, and what conversation the text responds to. If you use any information gained from this research in your paper, make sure to document it with in-text citations and on the Works Cited page.
3. Conduct your analysis. A successful rhetorical analysis essay will do the following:
   • Describe the rhetorical situation (purpose and original target audience) surrounding the text
   • Accurately (but briefly) summarize the text’s argument
   • Include a clear and precise thesis statement (an analytical claim with reasons about how the text works or does not work), along with organizational cues and patterns to guide its readers
   • Explain and analyze how the author’s specific writing choices help fulfill the author’s purpose and connect with (or fail to connect with) the target audience
   • Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of how rhetorical appeals are working in the text
   • Support its claims with quotations and/or paraphrases from the text

For more, see the Guide to Writing a Rhetorical Analysis on pg. 122-128 in our textbook.

Technical Requirements

• 4 double-spaced pages, standard type size
• Works Cited page (not included in page count)
• MLA formatting for in-text and end citations
• MLA formatting for document design

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Checklist for Rhetorical Analysis Essay

When revising your paper this week, double check for the following criteria:

• Paper focuses on the main rhetorical strategies used by the writer (e.g., context, substance, organization, style, delivery, rhetorical appeals, or a more defined area within one of these categories) and analyzes how the text uses these rhetorical strategies to accomplish its purpose.
• Paper primarily analyzes rather than summarizes the text (assumes the reader is already familiar with the text).
• Paper meets the length requirement.
• Body paragraphs are sufficiently developed, in logical order, and support the thesis statement.
• Author uses transitions, topic sentences, and a strong, clear thesis statement to orient the reader.
• Tone and word choice are appropriate to an academic assignment.
• Word choice is specific and varied, and writing style is clear and concise.
• MLA format is used correctly for documentation and formatting.
• Paper avoids errors with grammar and mechanics.

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